ISTANBUL

An express train collided with a passenger train in southern Czech Republic on Thursday, injuring dozens and disrupting rail traffic across the region, authorities said.

The crash occurred shortly after 6.20 am (0520GMT) near the city of Ceske Budejovice, according to Expats.cz.

Regional rescue officials said 57 people were injured, including 40 with minor injuries and 13 with moderate wounds. Ceske Budejovice Hospital said it had admitted four seriously injured patients, all of whom remain under treatment.

Czech Railways suspended traffic between Ceske Budejovice and the western city of Plzen following the crash. Service is expected to remain halted until about 3 pm local time (1400 GMT).

Authorities have opened an investigation. Firefighters said no passengers were trapped in the wreckage and added that cleanup operations would begin once investigators finish work at the scene.